Former hotel new home for society

Theosophical society committee member Michael Rudin (left), president Ruth Lawson, and vice...
Theosophical society committee member Michael Rudin (left), president Ruth Lawson, and vice-president Ralf Schruba are pleased with the society's new premises, the former Fitzroy Hotel in Hillside Rd. Photo by Jonathan Chilton-Towle

The former Fitzroy Hotel on the border of South Dunedin and Caversham has a new owner.

The Dunedin branch of the Theosophical Society has bought the hotel, which has been unused since it closed in January last year.

The society took ownership of the hotel on November 5 last year and moved in its possessions in late December. The society will hold its first meeting in its new premises on February 11.

Theosophical Society president Ruth Lawson said society members had much to discuss about how their new home would be used.

It was likely that meetings would be held downstairs, possibly in the area that had been the hotel bar. Part of the hotel would become a library to house the society's extensive collection of books. The pokie machines had been removed from the hotel and the area that housed them was likely to be converted into a film viewing area.

It was possible that the hotel's upstairs bedrooms might be converted into offices to be leased by businesses or therapists. The hotel's commercial kitchen could also be leased out and the premises would be available to be used by other groups and societies, she said.

''There are all sorts of ideas about to make an income,'' she said.

Formerly located in Jetty St, the Dunedin branch of Theosophical Society was an umbrella group for people interested in developing and learning about spirituality.

The Dunedin branch of the worldwide movement was founded in 1893 and has about 65 members.

- by Jonathan Chilton-Towle 

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